CO129-508-5 Supreme Court of Hong Kong- slackness of registry accounting methods 28-10-1927 - 23-4-1928 — Page 151

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in charge of the filing or responsible for the re-issue of a document that has once been filed. The bailiff's

office is free of access to the public, and Indian money lenders, landlords and solicitors' clerks would

come in and ask for a document from the bailiff or the

shroff and would walk away with it

·

whether they left

the precincts of the Court or not I cannot say. I've

even seen them go to the cabinets in which documents are kept and take out a file.

(By Mr. Nisbet) Do you consider the

accommodation in the bailiffs room is satisfactory for

the work transacted there?

I don't think I'm qualified to answer that, but I think it is a pity that the bailiffs and the

accounting staff are mixed up in one office.

What do you suggest with regard to the control

of files?

I would suggest that the whole of the Court

records should be placed in the charge of one officer.

No document should be issued without a requisition.

Will you put up an outline of what you consider to be a satisfactory system of accounting for the Registry and for the Suitors Fund after receipt at the Treasury, showing which of the present books may be discarded as useless and redundant and the types

of books which you regard as essential for maintaining due record which can be subjected to a proper check?

I don't wish to be in any way controversial, but under Clause 218 of the Colonial Regulations that

is part of the Treasurer's duties.

If I was requested to do so by the Chairman

I should be pleased to do so.

(Request then formally made).

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